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Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / September 6
Ca'Lil Valentine Answered Illinois' RB1 Question Loud and Clear in Week 1
Heading into any college football season, we have have general ideas – and maybe a few lead-pipe locks. Katin Houser lined up behind center to take the season's first offensive snap for Illinois, and Matthew Bailey and Xavier Scott were on the field when it was the Illini defense's turn.
Katin Houser News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / September 5
Illinois QB Katin Houser Delivered a Welcome Surprise in Week 1
The much-anticipated debut of new Illinois quarterback Katin Houser came on Thursday night in a 42-23 victory over UAB . And with Houser tossing the pigskin for 182 yards and three touchdowns while throwing only four incompletions, it’s safe to say the Illini couldn’t have asked for much more.
Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / September 5
The Five-Play Stretch vs. UAB That Revealed Illinois' Biggest Problem
Every coach at every level of football echoes the same sentiment: Football games are won in the trenches. Indiana, for example, consistently controlled the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball last year, and the Hoosiers were rewarded with a national championship.
Bret Bielema News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / September 4
Bret Bielema Reveals Why Illinois' Defense Struggled vs. UAB – and Takes the Blame
In Illinois' opener on Thursday, the offense was spectacular. Transfer quarterback Katin Houser went 13-for-17 and threw for 182 yards and three touchdowns while tacking on a rushing TD.
Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / September 4
The Most Encouraging Stat From Illinois Football's Week 1 Win Over UAB
Illinois’ offense was good in 2025, if not great. Quarterback Luke Altmyer did his part – and then some. The running back corps certainly wasn’t short on firepower, and the wide receivers weren’t far behind.
Illinois Fighting Illini News / Big Ten Network / September 4
Katin Houser News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / September 3
ESPN Names Illinois QB Katin Houser a Breakout Candidate for 2026
From a national standpoint, Illinois transfer quarterback Katin Houser hasn’t exactly been put on a pedestal. Most college football media outlets slot Houser in the 8-12 range among Big Ten quarterbacks, which, to be fair, shouldn't be considered outlandish.
Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / September 3
Illinois Football's 2026 Depth Is Stronger Than Expected at This Position
The football discussion thus far in Champaign has centered around two topics: 1) the massive turnover at key positions throughout Illinois’ roster and 2) the ultra-experienced and super-skilled secondary.
Jaheim Clarke News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / September 3
Illinois Football 2026 Scouting Report: Defensive Back Juice Clarke
Illinois on SI is delivering scouting reports for each of the key players on the Illini football team's 2026 roster. Below, we present our breakdown of senior defensive back Jaheim Clarke.
Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / September 3
Illinois Football 2026 Scouting Report: Defensive Back Matthew Bailey
Illinois on SI is delivering scouting reports for each of the key players on the Illini football team's 2026 roster. Below, we present our breakdown of fifth-year defensive back Matthew Bailey.
Illinois Fighting Illini News / Volleyball On SI / September 3
Tennessee Volleyball Sets Second Attendance Record of the Season with Sweep Over Illinois
Just four days after Tennessee volleyball set an attendance record inside Food City Center in Knoxville, the crowd made history once again Tuesday night with 8,212 fans packing the arena. In front of the loudest crowd, the No.
Darrell Prater News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / September 2
Illinois Football 2026 Scouting Report: Defensive Lineman Darrell Prater
Illinois on SI is delivering scouting reports for each of the key players on the Illini football team's 2026 roster. Below, we present our breakdown of Illini fifth-year defensive lineman Darrell Prater.
Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / September 2
5 Illinois Football Players Facing Massive Expectations in 2026
The expectations for Illinois football entering 2026? Truth is, there aren’t many. And that isn't a pessimistic take. Quite simply, with more newcomers than returners and a new defensive coordinator on staff, there are inevitably more questions than answers heading into Thursday’s opener against UAB (8 p.m.
Maika Matelau News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / September 2
Illinois Football 2026 Scouting Report: Guard Maika Matelau
Illinois on SI is delivering scouting reports for each of the key players on the Illini football team's 2026 roster. Below, we present our breakdown of sophomore offensive lineman Maika Matelau.
Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / September 2
How EA Sports' 'College Football 27' Predicts Illinois’ 2026 Season
With the Illini set to kick off yet another football season on Thursday, we decided to fire up the trusty XBox – specifically EA Sports' "College Football 27" – to learn whether the true-to-life video game could give us an early look at what Illinois' 2026 season may bring.
Jake Renfro News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / September 2
Illinois Football 2026 Scouting Report: Center Jake Renfro
Illinois on SI is delivering scouting reports for each of the key players on the Illini football team's 2026 roster. Below, we present our breakdown of Illini center Jake Renfro.
Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / September 2
3 Things We Will Learn About Illinois Football In Season Opener vs. UAB
Illinois football’s 2026 campaign is set to get underway on Thursday at Gies Memorial Stadium vs. UAB (8 p.m., BTN). The season opener is far from a marquee clash, but it will tell us more than otherwise might be expected.
NFL News / Yardbarker / August 28
Commanders fans may turn on HC Dan Quinn after alarming preseason loss to Ravens
Dan Quinn can call Washington’s 41-3 loss to Baltimore meaningless because it happened in the preseason. Commanders fans may soon arrive with pitchforks if the regular season confirms what Friday’s 38-point humiliation appeared to reveal.
College Basketball News / Busting Brackets / August 27
Illinois has one major problem standing between it and a national championship
Illinois should not lack offense during the 2026-27 college basketball season. The Fighting Illini finished last season ranked second nationally in offensive efficiency and return enough experienced talent to produce at a similar level.
Illinois Fighting Illini News / Big Ten Network / August 22
Illinois Fighting Illini News / Big Ten Network / August 22
Bret Bielema News / College Sports Only / July 29
Illinois Head Coach Brett Bielema Takes Shot At SEC
The beef between the Big Ten & SEC keeps getting juicier. Illinois head coach Bret Bielema criticized the SEC at Big Ten Media Days, claiming the conference
Illinois Fighting Illini News / Athlon Sports / May 27
Illinois Reacts to Andrej Stojakovic’s Career Decision on Wednesday
The Illinois Fighting Illini entered Wednesday anxiously waiting for one of the biggest roster decisions of the college basketball offseason. After testing the NBA Draft process and participating in the NBA Combine earlier this month, Andrej Stojakovic officially made his long-awaited decision just before the withdrawal deadline.
Brad Underwood could stick with Illinois through 2036 because of new extension
The Illinois Fighting Illini like head basketball coach Brad Underwood, and they have plenty of reason to.
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This site is for entertainment purposes only.
There is no gambling offered on this site.
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.